Tropical Smoothie Spreading Sunshine

Summer is on its way, the sun is out and smoothies are in. So is the chance to spread some sunshine to those in need.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe area developer Kevin Stargell announced the company is sponsoring a 5K run on June 12 at its Manassas location off of Rt. 28 (Nokesville Rd.). The proceeds will benefit Camp Sunshine, a year-round retreat in Casco, ME for children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families. 

Registration costs $25 and is happening now at www.tropicalsmoothierun.com.

“We have lots of volunteers from area stores,” Stargell said. “They really get behind this. Our goal is to get 200 participants.”

Locally, Stargell said last year's goal was to raise $18,000. This year, the goal is $25,000.

“We sponsored a family and sent them to Camp Sunshine,” Stargell said, covering the family and their travel expenses. 

Now through June 26 nationwide, Tropical Smoothie is donating a portion of the proceeds from sales of its Sunrise Sunset smoothie to Camp Sunshine.

This fund-raising effort coincides with the fifth anniversary of National Flip Flop Day on June 17. In 2007, the first 500 people wearing flip flops at each Tropical Smoothie location got a free smoothie. The next year, the company partnered with Camp Sunshine. 

Between now and June 16, customers that donate a dollar or two receive a paper flip-flop to write their name on, then the flip-flop is hung up on the wall. A $5 donation gets a Flip Flop Key Bob to hang on a keychain, good for a 10% discount on every purchase through the end of 2011.

Nationwide, Tropical Smoothie's goal is to raise $1 million by National Flip Flop Day.

For more information on Camp Sunshine, visit www.CampSunshine.com. To learn more about Tropical Smoothie Cafe and National Flip Flop Day, visit www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com and www.NationalFlipFlopDay.com.